Why do you prefer the Android OS over iOS?

[Imjrb3]

In the past 20 months I've used as my daily driver a Galaxy S8, Note 8, iPhone X, Note 9 and now iPhone 11 Pro Max. I've also always had an iPad and currently have the 2018 Pro 12.9". The Note 9 is the best single device I've owned.
Secure Folder helped ease the concerns I had about privacy- at least from a data perspective. (Though for many of us I believe that horse has long left the barn.) Samsung's split-screen software is terrific and using the device for note taking at the office and overall productivity easily surpassed what I could do on my iPhone. I'm not a camera junkie (spouse takes majority of the photos of kids, etc.) so the camera was good enough (Pro Max is terrific, for what it's worth.) I enjoyed dark mode before it was an OS level thing. Samsung's themes and, more recently, One UI really do have features that both iOS and "vanilla" Android are catching up to. In short- my Android device of choice was superior to the iPhone in every category except one- basic communication.
As a US user, and one of 5 in a family of all iPhone users, basic communication (texting, primarily) is a worse experience. I have WhatsApp and Signal for certain circles but the vast majority of my circles of influence (and EVERYONE at my office) are iPhone users. Sharing media files is worse. Texting (traditional SMS) is far worse than iMessage and I frequently saw delayed send/receipt times or missed messages altogether. Additionally, I never once got Visual Voicemail to work on a Galaxy phone although it's supposedly baked in. I realize this was likely a carrier issue (AT&T- their app "solution" is horrid) but it doesn't negate the fact that it never NOT worked on iPhone. There were also frequent bluetooth issues with Android Auto and, frankly, I felt like I was always fighting the the integration of Google apps (like AA) and Samsung apps (or 3rd party substitutes such as Textra.)
And yet I might have continued to tolerate all that except for one other issue- wearables. I had the S3 Frontier and the Galaxy Watch 46mm. I coach youth sports and exercise daily and I've come to rely upon my watch to not only track my data but triage communication when I'm training and my phone is out of reach. The fitness tracking on the Galaxy Watch is the worst I've used. Step tracking and heart rate monitoring were demonstrably worse than Apple Watch (and a few Fitbits) to the point of being nearly unusable. Had the watch been even passable, I'd likely still be using the Note 9.
Summarily my experience has been that Android is better at everything other than the core basic features I need from the device!
So I sit here today eyeing up a Black Friday deal for a Note 10+ and free Galaxy Buds while considering the Galaxy Active 2.......

 

[CaribMas]

I've used both iOS and Android. I prefer Android because it is much more customizable than iOS; I can choose how my phone looks and interacts, and I can do almost anything without connecting to a computer. File transfers are a cinch. I can drag and drop files from my phone to my PC and vice-versa! I can set up my home screen layout with launchers, widgets and shortcuts; and can also choose third-party apps as my default option.

 

[Ry]

I've been a Google/Gmail user since you needed invites back in 2004. I've been on Verizon since before they were Verizon. While I had a BlackBerry for work, the Motorola DROID was the first smartphone I bought for myself to use on my own line.

The original just iPhone wasn't for me. It wasn't good enough for me to switch from the superior coverage of Verizon to the inferior network that is AT&T.

Customization didn't really matter to me because I always had a clean build of Android except for when I used the Motorola DROID Bionic's MotoBLUR which was toned down from and not as intrusive as other versions of MotoBLUR and it let me keep using the ahead of it's time Lapdock accessory. The only phone I ever put ROMs on was the Motorola DROID (thanks Peter Alphonso) in order to get the latest version of Android and so I could overclock that device.

But the iPhone was always present. I worked in mobile games as flip phones gave way to Android and iOS so the iPhone and iOS devices were always a part of work. My then gf, now wife was on AT&T and had the iPhone 3G. I switched her over to Verizon when Verizon got the iPhone 4. She had the iPhone 5 and iPhone 6. She didn't move to Android until I got a killer Black Friday deal on the original Pixel.

Meanwhile, I went from Motorola DROID, to Motorola DROID Bionic, to Moto X, to Moto X Pure Edition, to Moto Z Force Droid, to Moto Z2 Play. Motorola perfected their clean build of Android so I never had to go through rough times of "skinned" Android first-hand.'

But then came the iPhone XR. I got a new job where I'd be working with iOS apps again. For months, I sat back with my Moto Z2 Play. I grabbed the latest iPod touch. Work provided me with an iPad Pro. Should I switch to iPhone??

I thought about it for weeks. Then came some decent Black Friday deals.

I did it. I switched my main phone from Android to iOS. I downloaded all of the Google apps. And then it hit me.

I didn't prefer Android. I preferred Google's services. And Google's services are as great as they can be on iOS.

My photos are all backed up to Google Photos. Text messages? I treat those like the short messages that they are, not like emails and chat that people nowadays make them out to be. I don't need to back those up ever. And I have WhatsApp and Telegram and Discord for other sets of family and friends anyway (and would have kept using Allo had Google not shut it down). Work messaging is all in Slack. I use Chrome, not Safari. I use the Google Maps, not Apple Maps. I use Google Keep, not Apple's Notes app. I use PocketCasts, not Apple Podcasts. I already have a circle of family and friends that use Duo. YouTube. Google Play Music (for now). I get all the apps that I used on Android on iOS.

The platform doesn't matter to me. App availability is what actually counts in the real world.

Motorola's clean build of Android combined with going all-in on Google's services have made switching easy. It also makes switching back to Android simple too, which I do occasionally with the underrated Motorola Moto Z4 once in awhile.

So why do I prefer Android over iOS? I don't. As long as the apps are there, it doesn't really matter to me.

 

[Golurk]

From what I’ve been seeing (including on this thread) customisation and choice are the main reasons of why people prefer Android...while Apple is criticised for its much more restrictive ecosystem. iOS has its merits and is by no means bad, but in my opinion Android is much better if you want to ‘do more’ with it.

 

[Godwine]

I couldn't read all the comments but Android OS, for me, tops iOS in that it's readily available to almost anyone, regardless of your pocket power. From Android Go devices, to Android One, to custom OS, to Google Pixels, there's always something for everyone.
Asides unparallel availability, Android OS, to the average user, is much more practical to use than iOS. Like everything is just straightforward, the menus aren't that hidden, everyone had a flavour of the vanilla but no one makes it sour. It's real prove that many cooks will not spoil the broth.
As par futuristic foresight, Android OS (now seems to) copy iOS. But let's not forget iOS takes cues from Android OS too. Now Fuchsia is in works, and we all know that'll be the (possible) replacement for everything Android. iOS has no (declared) foresight as such. I'll rather stay with a train that knows where it's going, than cling to one that follows wherever the tracks lead.

And for these reasons, I'll always choose Android OS over iOS.
(Is Apple Music on Android still as buggy as ever?)

 

[Tsepz_GP]

I use both and currently have iOS as my daily, I don't mind either OS. I've stopped this thing of being one-sided, when I can just enjoy both ecosystems.

Going between my iPhone XS Max on iOS 13 and my Huawei P30 Pro on Android 10 is great , I get to thoroughly use both OSs and realise that they each have something to offer.

iOS has the best quality of apps and some apps in iOS have more features VS. their Android counterparts. Love the tight integration and easiness of going between my iPhone and iPad to a Mac, and just being able to continue what I was doing on the other, I also love how the devices share information between them. The Apple ecosystem just feels so bulletproof, I am loving it. The iPhone camera is just so consistent and the updates will go on for what feels like forever. The stainless steel build is something I wish Android OEMs would start doing.

Android is just so full of functionality, my P30 Pro is like a whole workstation in my pocket. It's so open and customizable and allows me to run things the way I want to, it's like a blank canvas that allows me to create whatever I want and then the Camera is so versatile, followed by incredible battery life and super fast charging, it's the ultimate road warrior.

I keep jumping between the two so much, when I get bored I just use the other.

Great time to be an enthusiast

 

[BB_PP]

It works in jungle as well

 

[Morty2264]

I use both and currently have iOS as my daily, I don't mind either OS. I've stopped this thing of being one-sided, when I can just enjoy both ecosystems.

Going between my iPhone XS Max on iOS 13 and my Huawei P30 Pro on Android 10 is great , I get to thoroughly use both OSs and realise that they each have something to offer.

iOS has the best quality of apps and some apps in iOS have more features VS. their Android counterparts. Love the tight integration and easiness of going between my iPhone and iPad to a Mac, and just being able to continue what I was doing on the other, I also love how the devices share information between them. The Apple ecosystem just feels so bulletproof, I am loving it. The iPhone camera is just so consistent and the updates will go on for what feels like forever. The stainless steel build is something I wish Android OEMs would start doing.

Android is just so full of functionality, my P30 Pro is like a whole workstation in my pocket. It's so open and customizable and allows me to run things the way I want to, it's like a blank canvas that allows me to create whatever I want and then the Camera is so versatile, followed by incredible battery life and super fast charging, it's the ultimate road warrior.

I keep jumping between the two so much, when I get bored I just use the other.

Great time to be an enthusiast

Wow, what a fantastic review of both ecosystems. You've captured their essence perfectly.

 

[Tsepz_GP]

Wow, what a fantastic review of both ecosystems. You've captured their essence perfectly.

Thanks a lot

 

[Joshua Luther2]

I don't like having the same phone that everyone else has. I don't like Apple telling me what apps to use and how my home screen looks. I like being able to side load apps and files if I need to. Android's integration with Google is nothing like Apple can do. Also, my money can buy more with Android. I get bored with iOS. I can change the look of my Android phone anytime of day as much as I want. Honestly, if iOS allowed me to move my icons around on the screen, I'd be very tempted to switch over and give the other things a pass.

 

[eric002]

I don't like having the same phone that everyone else has. I don't like Apple telling me what apps to use and how my home screen looks. I like being able to side load apps and files if I need to. Android's integration with Google is nothing like Apple can do. Also, my money can buy more with Android. I get bored with iOS. I can change the look of my Android phone anytime of day as much as I want. Honestly, if iOS allowed me to move my icons around on the screen, I'd be very tempted to switch over and give the other things a pass.

Oh I agree. I hate the way that EVERY SINGLE IPHONE looks the same! Every single iOS home screen looks the same. Which, in turn, just means boring to me. I love things that are unique, and different. You're right, Google tight integration of Android in pixel phones with Google Assistant is something that Apple will never be able to touch. They can try, but will never be able to do so successfully. Applications are mainly the same between the two platforms. However, the way you use the application is completely and more flexible on Android. I love the ability to safely sideload applications especially the ones that u can't find easily 8n the play store. How,. Also not suggesting that every Android user sideloads Applications. you have to know how to safely sideload applications so that you don't get a damn virus on your phone. However, if you know exactly what you're doing, there's no harm in doing so. I have been doing it for years.

I love having the weather and the calendar widget face front on my home screen And having shortcuts to applications wherever I want them to be. Again, Android means customization: in every sense of the word! The OS's will never change! I mean engineers and developers will change the way each platform looks in their respective world, but they will never look the same and they shouldn't. Competition will always be a great thing. I also don't believe that you should have to pay for every single application in the app store. No one thing I love in the Google play store, is that if you buy nap you can trial it out or get your money back from the developer pretty easily. I've never heard of a good story from that of the Apple app store.

 

[Morty2264]

Oh I agree. I hate the way that EVERY SINGLE IPHONE looks the same! Every single iOS home screen looks the same. Which, in turn, just means boring to me. I love things that are unique, and different. You're right, Google tight integration of Android in pixel phones with Google Assistant is something that Apple will never be able to touch. They can try, but will never be able to do so successfully. Applications are mainly the same between the two platforms. However, the way you use the application is completely and more flexible on Android. I love the ability to safely sideload applications especially the ones that u can't find easily 8n the play store. How,. Also not suggesting that every Android user sideloads Applications. you have to know how to safely sideload applications so that you don't get a damn virus on your phone. However, if you know exactly what you're doing, there's no harm in doing so. I have been doing it for years.

I love having the weather and the calendar widget face front on my home screen And having shortcuts to applications wherever I want them to be. Again, Android means customization: in every sense of the word! The OS's will never change! I mean engineers and developers will change the way each platform looks in their respective world, but they will never look the same and they shouldn't. Competition will always be a great thing. I also don't believe that you should have to pay for every single application in the app store. No one thing I love in the Google play store, is that if you buy nap you can trial it out or get your money back from the developer pretty easily. I've never heard of a good story from that of the Apple app store.

I too don't like how almost every iPhone looks the same and that you cannot customize your home screen. I need folders! I need widgets! I need themes!

 

[eric002]

I too don't like how almost every iPhone looks the same and that you cannot customize your home screen. I need folders! I need widgets! I need themes!

Steve Jobs created iOS for the everyday computer / smartphone person. This person, not to sound too stereotypically, doesn't care about customization, Doesn't care about tweaking the system, just likes a plain Jane computer / smartphones. They just want it to work correctly. Android users don't just love customization, but appreciate and enjoy customization of the system, and the way the home screen looks. Years ago, Apple created Siri to introduce the world to voice assistants. A little while after that Google created the Google Assistant which literally obliterates every other tech giants digital assistant. Apple takes all the loving kudos for everything. That's how it will always be. I don't read too much into that anymore. Not too many people use Siri on their Apple products. I use Google Assistant for everything in my life. That's the way it will most likely stay. As far as what people expect from their tech in their everyday lives, again, things won't change too much over time. And it's very hard to convert an Apple user to an Android and vice versa. For example, my wife will never use Android, and I will never use Apple. I do find it interesting though that all of Androids applications for example Google photos, Google Voice etc are all available across platform on iOS. However, most of iOS applications even if Android users want to use them are not available on Android! The only difference being that since core Google customer so integrated deeply into Android system much better and quicker on our phones versus iOS, but the fact of the matter is is that it still works on iOS. I enjoy my Google discover feed whenever I want to look at my own interests/hobbies I can swipe right on my home screen and access it whenever I want to.

 

[anon(50597)]

I too don't like how almost every iPhone looks the same and that you cannot customize your home screen. I need folders! I need widgets! I need themes!

It’s funny because I used to like all those things too. Spent money on different icon sets, set up different widgets, etc. I realized I was spending too much time just playing around and never sticking with anything too long. Now other than changing my wallpaper once in a while my customizing days are over.

 

[Javier P]

It’s funny because I used to like all those things too. Spent money on different icon sets, set up different widgets, etc. I realized I was spending too much time just playing around and never sticking with anything too long. Now other than changing my wallpaper once in a while my customizing days are over.

Similar thing here. I kind of settled with a base setup about two years ago. It's designed for one-handed use with folders, gestures and swipe up actions all around and interactive hand made widgets with the information I need. I haven't changed much since then, just wallpapers or adding new apps or a couple more details in the widgets. In general my home screens setup has looked very similar for a long time.

Unfortunately there's no way to replicate the looks and functionality without a custom launcher, Nova in my case.

Many people think that Android customisation means changing things all the time. For me it means the chance to make my phone look and behave the way I want.

 

[Chuck Finley69]

I don't like having the same phone that everyone else has. I don't like Apple telling me what apps to use and how my home screen looks. I like being able to side load apps and files if I need to. Android's integration with Google is nothing like Apple can do. Also, my money can buy more with Android. I get bored with iOS. I can change the look of my Android phone anytime of day as much as I want. Honestly, if iOS allowed me to move my icons around on the screen, I'd be very tempted to switch over and give the other things a pass.

Doesn’t iOS allow that now or do I misunderstand.

 

[cbreze]

Doesn’t iOS allow that now or do I misunderstand.

If you’re referring to being able to move the icons any place you want leaving spaces in between if you so desire then no, that’s still locked down. That’s one of my biggest gripes of my iPhone usage. Such a simple thing but for them to maintain control of that simple thing is just ludicrous in my opinion it has nothing to do with security whatsoever. But, everything to do with user experience and ease of user experience. My second biggest gripe is not being able to delete the titles under the icons. I know Safari is Safari for gods sake, I don’t need it printed underneath!

 

[Joshua Luther2]

If you’re referring to being able to move the icons any place you want leaving spaces in between if you so desire then no, that’s still locked down. That’s one of my biggest gripes of my iPhone usage. Such a simple thing but for them to maintain control of that simple thing is just ludicrous in my opinion it has nothing to do with security whatsoever. But, everything to do with user experience and ease of user experience. My second biggest gripe is not being able to delete the titles under the icons. I know Safari is Safari for gods sake, I don’t need it printed underneath!

Completely agree. I like my icons near the bottom of my screen so I can easily reach them. It's just common sense to put them down where your thumbs can easily reach them instead of the furthest away from them.

 

[cbreze]

I tried this before and it works somewhat well, not perfect. It replaces empty space with blank icons. You screenshot your wallpaper and it then uses that as a template. You can put your used icons anywhere on the screen with the blank icons in between space you want left blank. A bit of a hassle but once you get the hang of it it goes fast. Problem is every time you want to change wallpaper it needs to be redone.

M A K E O V R

 

[anon(50597)]

I tried this before and it works somewhat well, not perfect. It replaces empty space with blank icons. You screenshot your wallpaper and it then uses that as a template. You can put your used icons anywhere on the screen with the blank icons in between space you want left blank. A bit of a hassle but once you get the hang of it it goes fast. Problem is every time you want to change wallpaper it needs to be redone.

M A K E O V R

I tried it but some of the wallpaper didn’t come out perfect. Even if it did, like you said, if you change your wallpaper you have to do it all over again.

I almost think Apple is purposely not allowing this because there’s really no reason not to.